Peripheral Arterial Disease of the Legs - When to Call a Doctor
Call your doctor immediately if you suddenly have severe leg pain, numbness, or pale, blue-black skin.
Call your doctor if you have:
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- Leg pain that begins after you walk a certain distance and that goes away when you rest (intermittent claudication).
- Foot or toe pain when you are resting.
Watchful Waiting
Taking a wait-and-see approach, called watchful waiting, is not appropriate for peripheral arterial disease. Ongoing, unexplained leg pain should be checked by a doctor.
Who to See
Health professionals who may be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) include:
- Family medicine doctor.
- Internal medicine doctor (internist).
- Cardiologist.
- Vascular surgeon.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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